The Power of Storytelling to Educate and Empower with Lisa Genova
May 4, 2023
auto_awesome
Lisa Genova, best-selling author and neuroscientist, discusses the power of storytelling in understanding Alzheimer's and empowering those affected. She highlights the importance of embracing vulnerability and investing in women's brains for research. The podcast explores overcoming fears in writing and the value of human connection in sharing scientific information.
Fiction and storytelling can be powerful tools to bring understanding and empathy to the human experience of Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions.
Stories provide a platform for empathy and connection, allowing people to better understand memory and the challenges of forgetting.
Art and storytelling have the potential to reduce stigma, promote empathy, and remind readers of the complexity and humanity of individuals living with neurological conditions.
Deep dives
Writing as a Pathway to Empathy and Understanding
Lisa Genova's journey into writing began with a personal experience of seeing her grandmother deteriorate from Alzheimer's disease. As a neuroscientist, she dove into research to understand the disease better, but realized that what was lacking in existing literature was empathy. This realization led her to believe that fiction and storytelling could be a powerful way to explore and convey the human experience of Alzheimer's. By immersing herself in the neuroscience and connecting with people living with the disease, Lisa was able to create authentic and relatable characters in her novels. Through her storytelling, she aims to reduce the stigma and bring understanding and healing to both those affected by Alzheimer's and those who have no personal experience with it.
The Power of Storytelling in Memory and Forgetting
Lisa Genova discussed the importance of storytelling in understanding memory and the art of forgetting. She believes that stories provide a platform for empathy, allowing people to step into someone else's shoes and experience their journey. By exploring the complexities of memory and the challenges of forgetting, Lisa's stories give a voice to those living with conditions like Alzheimer's and provide a sense of connection and validation. She also highlighted the common misconception that forgetting is always a sign of a problem, emphasizing that human memory is fallible and that forgetting certain things is a natural part of the aging process. By debunking myths and sharing scientific insights, Lisa aims to alleviate anxiety and promote a better understanding of memory and aging.
Giving Voice to the Human Experience
Lisa Genova's work in writing and storytelling is centered around giving a voice to the human experience. She believes that art and storytelling have the power to connect people and bridge the emotional gap between individuals. By writing novels that explore themes like Alzheimer's disease and bipolar disorder, Lisa aims to reduce stigma, promote empathy, and provide a platform for individuals to feel seen and heard. Through her stories, she reminds readers that individuals living with these conditions are still whole human beings with complex emotions, hopes, and desires. Rather than defining people by their conditions, Lisa highlights the importance of recognizing and appreciating their unique journeys and contributions to the world.
The Importance of Research and Authenticity
In her writing process, Lisa Genova emphasizes the significance of research and authenticity. She immerses herself in scientific knowledge and real-life experiences to create multidimensional characters and accurate portrayals of neurological conditions. By connecting with experts in the field, shadowing professionals, and engaging with people living with conditions like Alzheimer's, Lisa gathers insights that inform her storytelling and ensure the authenticity of her work. She also embraces the opportunity to learn and educate herself while crafting each novel, making sure to honor the nuances and complexity of the human experience.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
Lisa Genova offers advice to aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of giving oneself permission to write and embracing the process. She encourages writers to start with small steps, such as committing to writing a certain number of words each day, even if they may not initially be perfect. Lisa also recommends doing thorough research and learning about the craft of writing, whether through books, classes, or other resources. Most importantly, she urges aspiring writers to let go of fears and doubts, understanding that writing is a journey of growth and self-expression.
This episode is a conversation with the New York Times bestselling author and neuroscientist, Lisa Genova. Her debut novel Still Alice about a Harvard University professor who suffers early onset Alzheimer's disease sold millions of copies and has been translated into 37 languages. The book was adapted into a film in 2014 and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Julianne Moore's highly acclaimed performance as Alice Howland.
Her first work of nonfiction, REMEMBER: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, was published in March 2021, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Her first TED talk, "What You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer's" has been viewed over eight million times and her most recent TED talk, "How Memory Works--and Why Forgetting is Totally OK" was the sixth most watched TED talk of 2021.
She has been recognized numerous times and has won many awards for here incredible work, including receiving The Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square, for "distinguished storytelling that has enriched the public dialogue."
We discussed her journey of becoming a story teller, her empowering message and important work for the community.
